Last night, I watched the second episode of this new show and I am totally captivated. I think everyone should watch this amazing storyline. Within 5-10 minutes, you will be hooked. As many of you know, I was an educator, teaching in high school. I want to go back. I was always comfortable working with teenagers and today’s teenagers, because of how our society has evolved, have developed in a completely different way. I think older Americans have lost the emotional connection with our younger population–they have passed us in their evolution. But I also feel our younger population is missing out on what we might be able to offer them. That is why there is such a disconnect.

This show has also enhanced (if that is possible) my passion for what we wrote about in our Trips series. As I have said before, there are many social issues we introduce in our Trips and they represent an untapped source of communication beyond mouthing words. Our emphasis in the books is on allowing the younger readers to take the lead in talking about those things they all face or will face. Red Band Society allows the young stars to talk among and between themselves about LIFE and how they see it affecting their growth. The show is labeled, “Viewer Discretion Advised,” and if you have a pre-teen or teen I would suggest you watch the show with him or her. Why not take the opportunity to talk about these things with your own child and get a fresh perspective. I would even recommend teachers have discussions with their students on Thursdays–the show airs on Wednesdays at 9:00 on Fox.

My plan was to begin my thoughts about Death. I did not anticipate the recent event. Robin Williams has been someone I’ve admired for over 30 years. Like many others, his death has affected me. I’ve recognized his talent and what he was able to impart on all who watched and listened to him. His comic genius is well-documented (much of that was honed by his mentor, Jonathan Winters). But my recognition has been his ability to morph into the dramatic characters he portrayed and make those characters him. He had a way of becoming the character and presenting that person in a way that was unique to only him. He truly made you feel that person.

My thoughts regarding Death, in general, follow. Much has been said about Life, but there is as much to be said about Death. See if they relate to Robin’s passing.

IN ORDER TO GUARANTEE LIFE,
DEATH MUST EXIST.

THE DEATH OF SOMEONE WE KNEW
ENHANCES OUR FEELINGS
ABOUT THAT PERSON.

DEATH, AS THE NEXT STAGE OF LIFE,
WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS
WE NEED NOT BE IN A HURRY TO ASK.

DEATH WAS “CREATED”
SO YOU MIGHT BETTER APPRECIATE LIVING…
SO WHY DON’T YOU?

And we will Rap ourselves around what happened through America’s past–just a little ways to go:

CARS APPEARED AND FAMILIES BEGAN TO TRAVEL
LIFE FROM BEFORE BEGAN TO UNRAVEL
WE SAW ROBOTS START TO SHOW UP
AND ALL THEY COULD SAY WAS, “WHA’SUP”
COMPUTERS WERE BUILT FOR MANY REASONS
WARS HAD TO BE FOUGHT IN ALL SEASONS

Time to start a little change of pace. I will be imparting wisdom from Jid the Kid and one of his books. Sometimes the guy knows just what to say. Thoughts are in the form of original quotes. They are easy to remember and just might strike a chord. Hopefully, they will provide you some positives in your life. Feel free to let me know. The first few over several days will deal with LIFE. These are all originals:

IF THERE WAS AN ALTERNATIVE TO LIVING,
CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT THAT WOULD BE LIKE?

LIFE IS WHAT WE CALL
WHAT
WE DO!

LIFE ALLOWS US TO EXIST
HERE AND NOW
IN PREPARATION FOR
THERE AND THEN.

I’ll start with the “RAP” for the kids in class and get that out of the way:

THEY LEARNED TO TAKE PICTURES AND TALK ON THE PHONE
THEY READ COMICS AND CARTOONS AND THE PARENTS JUST MOANED
EVERYONE COULD COVER CUTS AND SCRAPES WITH BAND-AIDS
GIRLS COULD BLOW DRY THEIR HAIR AND PUT IT IN BRAIDS
ROCK N ROLL SHOWED UP AND MUSIC GOT WILD
AND ADULTS TRIED TO HOLD DOWN THEIR CRAZY CHILD

I am thinking about writing excerpts from my other books just to break the monotony. I will finish the Rap soon and start talking about some other things. The final books are supposedly in print and should be available very soon. Then I can start back calling on schools, bookstores, libraries, etc. I have been delayed by the publishing company’s lack of efficiency and professionalism. I can’t wait until I can sever direct ties with them. Besides being a very costly project, I have experienced significant frustration. I continue to lose my “cool” and I don’t like that.

I will get back to positive thoughts and quit getting worked up. Happy days will soon return!

Visualize anywhere from 20-30 4th, 5th, and 6th graders jumping and Rapping in school. And then I get to leave. Imagine the teachers–I think I will love this. I can just see them cussing under their breath. But, hopefully, they will go along with what I am doing and enjoy the moment.

WHAT SHOWED UP LATER WAS NO JOKE
SOMEONE INVENTED A DRINK CALLED COKE
WHAT LATER SHOWED UP AT THE ROLLER RINK
WAS SOMETHING CALLED PEPSI THAT HAD BEEN BRAD’S DRINK
MORE GAMES SHOWED UP FOR JUST THE BOYS
AND THE GIRLS GOT BARBIE, HULA HOOPS, AND TOYS

Little do the teachers know, but they will be included in the Rap. That should help their image with the kids. Maybe I will set a trend in some class. Wow! I might become a Legend (put that in your pipe and smoke it). My head just exploded just from typing this. I came back down, looked out my window, and there it was–Reality.

I gave you bits of “my” Rap intro for the classes. Feel free to critique it. Just remember, you have to read it to a beat; otherwise, it is just a bunch of rhyming lines.

I AM HERE TODAY TO TELL A STORY OR TWO
ABOUT RICHARD AND ELLIE AND YOU’RE GOING TO SAY, “WHO”?
THEY MET YEARS AGO IN A TERRIBLE WAR
AND NOW YOU WANT TO KNOW WILL THERE BE ANY MORE?
I WANT TO HAVE FUN, AND I BET YOU DO TOO
SO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION ‘CAUSE OUR TIME IS FEW
NOT ONLY DO THEY MARRY, BUT THEY HAVE SOME KIDS
AND THE KIDS GO TO SCHOOL ‘CAUSE THAT’S WHAT THEY DID
THE KIDS GROW UP AND MORE KIDS ARRIVE
FOR 7 GENERATIONS, CAN HISTORY SURVIVE
ONE THING YOU’LL DISCOVER, NO MATTER WHAT YEAR
KIDS WILL BE KIDS SO DON’T SHED A TEAR
YOU’LL SEE THOSE KIDS WERE JUST LIKE YOU
THEY PLAYED AND FOUGHT LIKE YOU GUYS DO
SO IF IT’S 2014 OR IT’S 1810
LIFE TODAY IS LIKE IT WAS THEN
TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THAT HISTORY IS FUN
AND WHEN YOU “ACE” THAT TEST YOU’LL SAY, “I WON!”

I’ve written Rap lines for the kids to go around the room. These lines will introduce some of the fun topics we deal with in the stories. History at its best, if you will! Just a few lines each day–

FUNNY THING HAPPENED AT SCHOOL ONE DAY
BASEBALL SHOWED UP AND THE BOYS WANTED TO PLAY
THE GIRLS STOOD AND CHEERED AND LICKED THEIR LIPS
AS THEY WATCHED AND ATE THEIR POTATO CHIPS

Let’s play Jeopardy: The answer is–“TRIP #4” ?
The question is– ?
If you said, “Which Trip hit another snag,” you would win. We may be headed for a “New Trip Record”!
You would be proud of me as I yelled, cussed (yes, I did), told them what I thought, and will plan to take this further once Trip #4 and Trip #8 get to print. This has finally reached the level of complete insult. Stay tuned!

Rap it:
YOU’LL SEE THOSE KIDS WERE JUST LIKE YOU
THEY PLAYED AND FOUGHT LIKE YOU GUYS DO
SO IF IT’S 2014 OR IT’S 1810
LIFE TODAY IS LIKE IT WAS THEN
TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THAT HISTORY IS FUN
AND WHEN YOU “ACE” THAT TEST YOU’LL SAY, “I WON!”

I hope this won’t be a repost–that wears me out. Monday felt good because it brought back memories of days gone by. Wow! Another example of how History intertwines itself with our lives. What I did over 50 years ago rushed back in like it never left. This could become my new pastime all over again. You should try it; you might like it.

Let’s Rap:

THE KIDS GROW UP AND MORE KIDS ARRIVE
FOR 7 GENERATIONS, CAN HISTORY SURVIVE
ONE THING YOU’LL DISCOVER, NO MATTER WHAT YEAR
KIDS WILL BE KIDS SO DON’T SHED A TEAR

The Rap will wrap up on Friday and then I will put it all together. The problem for me will be my ability to memorize this to Jam with a class. This reality is getting close. I realize all schools are getting close to reopening for the Fall Semester. Looking forward to landing some “gigs.” Am I getting the words down or what?

I am reposting part of Friday’s blog because, for some reason, it did not publish to RETrips.com/Facebook. It you missed yesterday’s “amazing” words, then try again. You may even have to go into the website directly (not through Facebook). Let’s see what happens.

Good Luck to me!

I will repost Friday:
Tonite, I tell another side of me–most people are not aware of this side. In college, I ran with a group of about 5 guys. We would sit in coffee houses and diners and listen to people’s conversations. Then we would have a contest to see which of us could “pun” the words the best–I guess my skills were honed then. We would not try to embarrass or insult them; just play on their words. If you’ve been following my blogs, you’ve probably caught me doing that several times without the origin from anyone else (at least, the rhyming part). I still get those urges as some of you can tell. Well, get ready. My Rap is getting honed and rhyme has crept in:

I hope there’s a teacher who will give me a shot
To talk to her class and show what I’ve got
OMG, It’s started again
Rhyming my words, I just can’t win
LOL, maybe it will soon stop
And the rhyming can disappear
Whoa! What just happened
Now what do I do
Punt!

Let’s Rap:
I WANT TO HAVE FUN, AND I BET YOU DO TOO
SO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION’CAUSE OUR TIME IS FEW
NOT ONLY DO THEY MARRY, BUT THEY HAVE SOME KIDS
AND THE KIDS GO TO SCHOOL ‘CAUSE THAT’S WHAT THEY DID

As I had hoped, Trip #4’s problem finally got resolved and went to print (again). I had to do some yelling, complaining, and getting a Supervisor to call me–it worked. I wouldn’t necessarily condone that tactic because it could backfire. Just another example of my frustrations with my publisher. I think this time it worked. Trip #8 has moved to publication to prepare for going to print. Hopefully, we might see the end of the tunnel–all 8 Trips available for sale at the same time. Cross your fingers or whatever you like to cross.

“I AM HERE TODAY TO TELL A STORY OR TWO
ABOUT RICHARD AND ELLIE AND YOU’RE GOING TO SAY, ‘WHO’?
THEY MET YEARS AGO IN A TERRIBLE WAR
AND NOW YOU WANT TO KNOW WILL THERE BE ANY MORE?”

This is part of my opening Rap. Still honing its edges. Have you ever honed an edge? Be careful you don’t cut yourself–edges can be tricky. Have a good weekend and don’t trip on any of those edges. Talk soon!